Child abuse doesn't end when childhood does. A child abuse survivor, Sheryl Hauk knows that firsthand.
A retired educator, survivor of childhood sexual abuse and author of Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl spent decades keeping her own trauma private. Today, she is using her experience to fight for stronger protections, greater accountability and better support for abused children.
In this powerful Lean to the Left conversation, Sheryl explains how childhood trauma can affect learning, relationships, physical and mental health, homelessness and a survivor's ability to function decades later.
She also argues that America is failing abused children by underfunding prevention, early intervention and Child Advocacy Centers—and by maintaining statutes of limitations that can prevent survivors from ever holding their abusers accountable.
Sheryl discusses her own extraordinary story, including the abuse she endured until age 18, how she finally stopped it, and why she eventually decided to speak publicly after years of silence.
We also discuss:
• Why many survivors do not disclose abuse until years or even decades later
• The fight to reform statutes of limitations
• How trauma can interfere with a child's ability to learn
• Why perpetrators are often people children already know and trust
• The critical role of Child Advocacy Centers
• The shortage of resources for abused children
• Why Sheryl believes prevention and early intervention make fiscal as well as moral sense
• How creativity and music helped her survive
• Her memoir, Piece by Piece, and the resources she now provides for other survivors
Sheryl's message is ultimately one of both urgency and hope: childhood trauma can have lifelong consequences, but timely intervention, support and accountability can change lives.
Learn more about Sheryl Hauk and her work at SherylHauk.com. Here's a link to her book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qCNck0
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Sheryl Hauk
00:37 Survivor to Advocate
02:23 Hidden Trauma Costs
03:02 Prevention and Accountability
05:46 Statute Limits Fight
08:09 Trauma and Learning
09:47 Who Abuses Children
12:23 CAC Funding Crisis
15:03 Policy Priorities Debate
17:47 CACs and Recovery Support
20:18 How She Stopped It
23:33 Book and Resources
25:31 Closing Call to Action
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